iPhone demand in China, Japan projected to push Sept. quarter sales to 34.5M

Katy Huberty of Morgan Stanley revealed the latest AlphaWise Smartphone Tracker survey data to AppleInsider on Thursday, which shows iPhone demand in the third quarter of calendar 2013 tracking to 37 million units. While Apple may not be able to supply an iPhone 5s unit to everyone who wants one by the end of the quarter, Huberty believes Apple will ship about 34.5 million handsets during the period.

If her estimate proves to be accurate, that would prove better than the already-increased expectations of 33 million shared by Wall Street watchers. Many analysts' estimates were raise after Apple reported record sales of 9 million units during the launch weekend for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

In particular, consumer interest in Japan and China are responsible for the largest share of the year over year increase in interest in Apple's iPhone, according to the AlphaWise study.

The study, which measures consumer demand, is based on an analysis of Web search results. It found that demand for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c has been considerable even after the devices went on sale last Friday.

Last week, Huberty said that concerns over preorders for Apple's iPhone 5c, and the lack of available preorders for the iPhone 5s, were "overblown." She cited survey data that showed healthy demand for Apple's latest iPhones.